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Kathryn Mayer • Writing Out Loud

I write stuff down. writer • humorist • activist

Get Paid What You’re Worth

July 26, 2010 by Kate Mayer 4 Comments

NOTE TO SELF: When asked for salary requirements from prospective employers, do your homework before throwing out a number. Especially when the number is too low and labels you a novice, newbie, rookie, or otherwise glorified newcomer to a field you once knew well.

It won’t take you long to get up to speed — trust me, you’re smarter than you think — but you have only one chance to set that initial salary, hourly rate, or compensation. Afterwards, there’s no going back, and that number identifies your skill level immediately. Aim high.

I made a huge mistake undervaluing my contributions to a company, plain and simple. Took until now to notice why assignments were dwindling, and unfortunately, it was made painfully obvious as of late. Bitter? You betcha.

As a return-to-work mom, I considered my skills outdated, obsolete, and antiquated, and priced myself as such. My bad. Just because I took time off to raise things 1, 2, 3, and 4, doesn’t make me stupid, just dormant. And with a vast number of my zip-code unemployed, I was giddy by each rejection, and exhilarated for the random prospect. Bottom line: I wanted this job and priced myself to get it. It worked.

Had I requested the industry standard for my neck of the woods, the bossman could clearly decline, counter, or accept the number. But by aiming too low, I pigeon-holed myself right out of what I do best.

Salary Identifies Skill, or Lack Thereof

If bossman were billed appropriately for the skills I possess, I’m confident I’d be his #1 choice. Cocky? Perhaps, and if I weren’t getting the fee, referrals and recommendations from other clients, I’d certainly be blogging a different woe-is-me story. However, at my current price, I simply can’t be his smart choice. You get what you pay for.

I don’t blame him one bit; I’ve done this to myself. Dumb-ass.

Instead of getting a top-notch employee at a bargain-basement price, a sacrifice eagerly offered in exchange for the promised new media experience, contacts, and education eluded to in the job description, I’ve been labeled incompetent at my present hourly rate to complete the more intricate assignments.

And that hurts the pocketbook. And the ego.


Return-to-Work Moms Take Notice
Just Say Yes

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    July 28, 2010 at 3:40 am

    Live and learn… boss man will figure it out soon, or one of his competitors will!

    Reply
  2. On-Ramper says

    July 28, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    thx… already lining up options and hope success is eminent!

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    August 3, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    I’ve always had a problem pricing myself accordingly, unfortunately I could still blame it on the parents, but by my 40’s is that really fair to them? I think not & am still waiting to be comfortable in my own skin. Good luck with knowing your worth.

    Reply
  4. Kathy (On-Ramper) says

    August 4, 2010 at 1:11 am

    Just bid a job at my top freelance rate; partly because so peeved off at being undervalued. Expected to be ignored but instead, one of finalists for job! I actually wrote the bid once, then rewrote to what I thought a “professional” would bid it at. We return-to-work moms need to value ourselves more in order to demand the same from the marketplace.

    Reply

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About Kathryn Mayer

Kathryn Mayer

An irreverent storyteller with a foul mouth and big heart, Kathryn Mayer (aka Kathy and/or Kate) is a writer, humorist, and (former) activist writing out loud with humor and grace about little life moments with big ripples, including the space between parenting and aging parents, social issues, angsty reflections of midlife, and, sigh, gun humpers. Still. Sometimes a big deal, sometimes not Mayer is a national award-winning columnist, according to the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and her essays have been recognized as Voice of … Read More Here...

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